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Help Norvan and Save the Democrats – TONIGHT!

I got this from a good friend last night. If I had time I’d write my own spiel but I don’t and his words convey the message well;

My dear friend and rablerouser Norvan Vogt, a long time Canberran resident, has decided to have a go at influencing the upcoming elections from within the ACT in the legally prescribed manner of running for office.

His request for people to lend a hand in small but helpful ways is below.

While I have not consistently voted Democrat, I do believe in Norvan, and would be if I was still living in Canberra. If you have any questions, I invite you to send Norvan an email, perhpas invite him out to buy you a beer, and put your quetsions directly – he’s a lot of fun to boot;)

FYI – fast action is required to keep to Democrats alive in the ACT. They need new members ($20). their AGM is tonight! August 9th @ the Belconnen Community Centre, Meeting Room 1, 7.30pm

As you know a long time ago I began to look into the different political
parties and found one that made sense, the Australian Democrats. They weren’t biased by wealthy groups like big business or big unions and their policies were created by ordinary Australians just like me. As I dug deeper, I discovered the extent to which they had influenced legislation in areas such as the Environment, the Economy, Industrial Relations, Human Rights, Privacy, Superannuation and Youth Affairs just to name a few. In the end there is only one party that fights for the middle ground. I didn’t really want to be to actively involved in a political party for another 2 years. Working and studying fulltime means that I don’t really have to time for it. The plan was to settle in to the party and have a look around, and then slowly build a power base of volunteers.

Unfortunately things have conspired against this plan . for the better. I
have been down in Melbourne organising the national youth wing conference for the Dems. After the 30th anniversary dinner on my way back to the Hostel I met up with Aden Ridgeway someone I greatly admired when I was on the youth roundtable. So we went off and had a beer at the esplanade hotel in St Kilda by 3am he had convinced me to get involved. One of the more inspiring night of my life. Long and the short of it is that it looks like I’ll have the number one spot on the senate ticket in the ACT. I know that I don’t have a Snowballs chance in hell but that’s not the point the idea is to get into the debate. Make a mark and fight for the big issues.

ACT Electoral committee has put a spanner in the works. We have grown the party from 41 to 52 members this year. But this is not enough, we need to get 100 members to stay registered. So why am I telling you this, well I need your help! I may have spoken to you a few times about the idea. I was wondering if I could call in a favour and ask you to consider joining the Democrats, if I could extend that favour to maybe being actively involved in the party or my campaign that would be fantastic. At a minimum I need you to sign up and pay the $20 and come along to the AGM 7:30pm next Thursday 9th.

How much time and effort you can spare from there I’ll leave up to you.

Don’t get me wrong I don’t really want to force you into a party that you may ideologically oppose but if I remember you once voted democrat so if you are a fence sitter or not a member of another party would you consider it? I’ll leave it there for now. Let me know what you think. If you know any one else that can help let me know

I worry a lot about the Democrats. They started so well, ran well for years and have now fallen over so badly. I keep wondering whether their future is as a faction within the Greens – I doubt that they could survive in a big party. The political system needs them – and I’ll probably give them a first or second preference, always remembering to Put Humphries Last and get the complacent critter out. I’d be delighted to see him replaced by a Democrat (in fact, did the late great Rick Farley stand and come within cooee of beating Senator Reid as a Democrat in the ACT – or was he a Green?). Best of luck Norvan and the Gang of 53.

point well made Spectra, and yeah, before Gunghalin Al sees this, I’ve (just) read your comments in the Kerrie Tucker thread. I guess voting for something I *don’t* believe in is more of a waste than voting for a candidate that won’t get elected.

It’s disheartening to think that so many people don’t realise the impact of the choices they’re making when it comes to electing leaders. Worse is the realisation that most politicians aren’t in it to do good, but to gain power.

I did an interesting little “which Australian political party matches your values” test online a while ago, and was surprised to see Democrats pop up, so I’d be happy to join, but their online signup doesn’t take AMEX. :/

Have to wonder though, with so few members, wouldn’t i be throwing my vote away?